232 
MANAGEMENT IN WINTER. 
past the sentinel on watch. An improvement, and 
a very simple one, in the formation of the doors, 
will increase the difficulty of eluding the vigilance of 
the guard ; make them 1 j inch thick, the small aper- 
tures will then be to the bees, in fact, long narrow 
passages, along which they will he unable to make 
their way in the face of the opposing sentinel. Doors 
of this kind should remain on the hives during the 
whole winter. If the precaution above recommended 
fails, the hive attacked must be removed for a few 
days, till quiet is in some degree restored to the 
apiary ; and, in the meantime, to amuse and baffle 
the assailants, an empty hive may occupy the station. 
No stock-hive ought at this season to require feed- 
ing. Still, circumstances may occur, as in the case of 
long-continued had weather during the end of autumn, 
which may render some supply beneficial and even 
necessary. In such cases, the best mode of admini- 
stering it, is to raise the hive which is to he assisted, 
on a round or square frame of wood, two or three 
inches deep, and place in the vacuum thus produced, 
two or three pieces of full comb on edge, and in their 
natural position. The bees will soon drain them, 
storing the contents in the upper region of their do- 
micile, after which the frame and empty comb may 
be removed. In default of comb, syrup must be sup- 
plied, as directed in page 186. 
It is almost needless to say, that feeding during 
winter is out of the question, even though the season 
should be mild. It is unnecessary, and would prove 
injurious, tempting the insects to leave the compara- 
